THE SECRET GARDEN Revival Set for 2018-2019 Season

[broadwayboy223]

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I really hope that Daisy Eagan is used as Martha. Also, if there was already a pre-Broadway production going, why start from scratch with a new director? This is very strange."

My guess? I would think maybe the investors weren't happy with the "pre Broadway" production and want a fresh production. Who knows honestly 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Or maybe the prior productions were only used to work out all the modifications Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman wanted to make before going for a full-scale Broadway production.

[GeorgeandDot]

Shoutout to the person that mentioned that Michael Arden would have been a great choice for this.

[Phantom of London]

What do you guys think? Will this be heading in a Nederlander or Brooks Atkinson size house?

[QueenAlice]

I would think this would have another regional tryout somewhere. The last production didn't fare so well, so its ambitious to think this (presumably) totally different production would open cold on Broadway.

[mikey2573]

Carlyle seems an odd choice for director, him being known primarily as a choreographer.  TSG is really an actors musical and not much of a dancing musical (unless they go for the foot-stomping, dancing servants like the ill-advised London version--PLEASE GOD, NO!).   Also, TSG is  a show where the humor really needs to be mined from the characters,  and actors will need a strong director to do that.  Otherwise, TSG can be a very solemn, somber piece. 

[JBradshaw]

Actually Jeff the London production had many changes/revisions. 

I just hope a revival isn’t stripped down and has a production on par with the original. 

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Or maybe the prior productions were only used to work out all the modifications Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman wanted to make before going for a full-scale Broadway production."

 

[A Director]

The major flaw of the musical is the focus is on the adults not the children!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

GeorgeandDot said: "Shoutout to the person that mentioned that Michael Arden would have been a great choice for this."

I think Bartlett Sher would've been a great choice for The Secret Garden. Or maybe John Doyle could've done something interesting with it being pared-down.

[Wick3]

Probably a longshot now but I hope Ben Platt is cast as Dickon!!!!! Ah I really loved the cast they had at the concert 2 years ago! 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Here's the breakdown for the lab, if that interests you:

http://www.playbill.com/job/the-secret-garden-dev-lab-nyc-epa-022818/00000161-9a12-d2d5-ab7f-fe9325fd0000

[QueenAlice]

That breakdown makes me wonder if this new lab is trying to eliminate the ensemble entirely.

[VintageSnarker]

A Director said: "The major flaw of the musical is the focus is on the adults not the children!"

I don't think that's quite the problem but this is one revival where I'd be open to them making some changes to better reconcile the adult plot with the children's plot. I feel like we get too much of her parents, just enough to throw things off but not enough to really make something of those characters. And the villainy feels out of place and while there are some great songs it ultimately functions as a plot device that gets dealt with very quickly at the end.

Also... Laura Osnes? Ramin? Thank God BWW threads aren't in charge of casting.

[GeorgeandDot]

He probably wouldn't do it, but Jake Gyllenhaal really would be great as Archibald.

[darquegk]

I just hope they don't cut the gothic elements- the ghosts, the madness, the low-key murder mystery. These are what elevate the show. Ultimately, I think audiences respond much less to the ill-tempered girl learning to be an adult, and more to the haunting world she finds herself in.

[Owen22]

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I really hope that Daisy Eagan is used as Martha. Also, if there was already a pre-Broadway production going, why start from scratch with a new director? This is very strange."

A friend of mine was in the last three incarnations (a tour that hit Seattle, DC and Houston). He said the director (artistic director of 5th Avenue I believe) never had a handle on the show and it actually got worse as the tour progressed. It was meant to come into NY but he predicted (apparently correctly) that this production would never see a Broadway stage.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Interesting...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Drew-Gehling-Sierra-Boggess-Adam-Chanler-Berat-Matt-Doyle-More-Lead-Lab-for-Broadway-Bound-THE-SECRET-GARDEN-20180509

[Call_me_jorge]

Interesting that drew is in the lab when he’s also attached to the broadway bound Dave musical. I know just because he will be in the lab doesn’t mean he’s doing it on broadway, though. Just find it a bit interesting. Also can we talk about how amazing Brooklyn shuck is doing? She’s everywhere at this point. 

edit: I originally read it as if it already happened. My b

[LizzieCurry]

That is QUITE an assembly!

[little_sally]

I'm a fan of a few of these people but am I the only one who thinks this cast is boring?

[BroadwayBeebe]

This is not at all what I was expecting.... Definitely nothing that makes me excited in this lab casting

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

So with Miss Saigon last season, Once on this Island this season, and The Secret Garden next season, should we be prepared for a revival of The Will Rogers Follies the season after to complete the set?

[Wick3]

I'll admit I was more excited with the casting from the Secret Garden concert two years ago than the casting for this one.  

[BroadwayConcierge]

I will say that Sierra Boggess is truly perfect for Lily. While I'm personally a big fan of hers, I understand why some people think she's a bit bland—but Lily is one of those roles I think is made for her, regardless of how you feel about her as a performer.

[musikman]

^ yea she’s about as perfect as you can get for Lily. She was stunning in the concert version.

This cast seems a bit out of left field, but I’m interested to hear reports. I just want a Secret Garden that’s sung and played as well as possible.